Glenn Kirkwood has been appointed along with fellow ex-Gladiator Craig Hopkins to manage the reserves, who will play in the Midlands Regional Alliance Premier Division next season.

The Gladiators are holding trials for both the reserves and the U19 squad at Cavendish Fields on Monday June 16 at 6.30pm.

And while the trials present a great opportunity for young hopefuls, the appointment is just as exciting for 31-year-old Kirkwood, who was forced to quit playing after admitting defeat in his battle to beat a career-long foot injury last season.

“Obviously we don’t expect to go in and win the league straight away, although personally I’d like to,” he said.

“We’re going to be a new team and we will take time to gel, but the main thing we‘re wanting to do is get as many players through into the first team as we can.”

The former Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion player said he and Hopkins, who hold their new posts on a voluntary basis, were “not looking for the next Ronaldo”, but he was quick to identify the key qualities in their future players.

“Obviously they have got to have a little bit about them, but enthusiasm gets you a hell of a long way in football,” he said.

“I never had a great deal of ability, but I always had enthusiasm and the right attitude to play.”

Hopkins, 33, and now a professional poker player since his retirement from football in 2007, said the chances were there for young footballers from Matlock to “show they really want to do it.”

He also said the Matlock public had their part to play.

“We want to get as many people to come to watch and encourage the lads as possible,” he said.

Matlock’s first team joint-boss Gareth Williams said getting Kirkwood and Hopkins to manage the reserves was a “lucky break” for the club and described the appointments as “excellent.”

“They may not agree with me but it’s not all about winning,” said Williams.

“It’s about bringing on the kids and being there for us if we need a player to get his fitness back.”